Accounting Major

Accounting Major Overview

The Department of Accounting is committed to providing students the education and technical knowledge necessary to enter the accounting profession and to pursue a successful professional career. The field of accounting offers challenging and rewarding opportunities in public accounting, tax accounting, industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations.

Prospective accountants must be prepared to work in an increasingly complex environment. In addition to accounting knowledge, the successful accountant must possess a broad knowledge of business. Other essential skills include the ability to communicate well verbally and in writing, the ability to work well with and motivate others, the ability to organize and manage tasks and other people, and the ability to use sound professional judgment. Courses are designed and kept relevant through input fromfacultyand the department’s Professional Advisory Board.

Admission Requirements for the Accounting Major

The Accounting major is a limited-access program. To be admitted to the major, a student must meet the admission requirements for limited-access programs in the College of Business. In addition to the college’s general admission requirements, to enroll in upper-level accounting courses, students must have earned a B or better in ACG 2021 and ACG 2071 and have passed either the FSU Accounting Competency Exam (PDF) or the FSU ACG 2021 final exam with a 75% or better.

Upon completing all requirements for this major, the student will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Course Requirements

Courses for the major are updated each academic year. Students must use the course requirements from the academic year they were accepted in the College of Business. Typically students are admitted to the college beginning their junior year, and the academic year runs fall through summer.

Academic Mapping

Mapping is Florida State University’s academic advising and monitoring system that provides the student with a recommended eight semester map for completing their bachelor’s degree in four years. Summer semesters are not included in degree mapping, but the student may use summer terms to either get ahead or catch up in their degree program.

Students do not have to complete all of the recommended classes on their map to remain on course; they simply must meet certain minimum requirements known as "milestones." Milestones include a minimum grade point average (GPA), completion of specific classes and minimum grades (“C-” or better) in the milestone classes. Milestones are identified on each major map. All incoming freshmen are monitored for Semester 1 milestone criteria, regardless of the number of hours brought in through dual enrollment and/or credit by examination.

Students will be contacted if they are not making the appropriate progress. Students who do not satisfy the appropriate milestones at the end of any semester will be notified of such status by the university. The first time a student is off course, a Hold will be placed on registration; and the student will be required to contact an adviser to have the registration Hold removed. The adviser will discuss: (1) what is necessary to get back on course; and/or (2) possible alternative majors. If the student is off course for two consecutive semesters, a Hold placed is placed on registration; and the student will be required to change their major to an area outside of business.